It's More Than Just Horses At Meadowlands Racing And Entertainment

Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment offers a different kind of fun, year round.Photo Credit: Meadowlands Racing and EntertainmentFrom banquets to business functions, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment has the capacity to serve 10 to 10,000 guests.Photo Credit: Meadowlands Racing and EntertainmentPink, the track's steakhouse, offers views of the track and delicious fare.Photo Credit: Meadowlands Racing and EntertainmentMeadowlands also features several bars.Photo Credit: Meadowlands Racing and EntertainmentThe rooftop terrace at Meadowlands offers views of the track, as well as the New York City skyline.Photo Credit: Meadowlands Racing and EntertainmentMeadowlands Racing and Entertainment races horses three nights a week, and offers off-track betting seven days a week.Photo Credit: Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- For North Jersey residents and businesses planning their next corporate outing, party or other large celebration, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment in East Rutherford is offering the inside track.

One of the country's premier harness racing venues, the newly redesigned Meadowlands is more than just the chance to place a bet. "Meadowlands doesn’t feel like your typical racetrack, it’s different," said Dominic Caiazzo, Meadowlands' director of group sales. "It’s much more upscale; we’re really an entertainment center that has a racetrack." For guests, it’s food, drinks and fun without the traditional racetrack vibe

State-owned from 1976 to 2011, the track was purchased by private investors in 2011 and a new venue was built in 2013. Today, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment features several bars, a restaurant overlooking the track and a rooftop lounge offering views of the track and New York skyline. In warmer months, the fun heads outside. "In the summer we have live concerts, a beer fest outside and some other great events," said Caiazzo. The goal, he explained, is to provide a fun, memorable experience for guests in an environment that "isn't your father's racetrack."

Although Meadowlands races horses year-round on Friday and Saturday nights, and offers simulcast betting seven days a week, the facility has quickly become the go-to place for large-scale gatherings in North Jersey. "We can hold parties ranging from 10 to 10,000 people," said Caiazzo. "The space is great for private parties, corporate functions and even quarterly or yearly trade shows. We're unique because we have a large enough space to accommodate thousands of people and provide built in entertainment, regardless of if there is racing or not."

From planning to cleanup, the staff at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment has every event covered, regardless of its size. Thanks to on-site event planners, a full-service kitchen and bars, all guests are required to do is show up. "It used to be that people never thought to come here for their functions," said Caiazzo. "However, that's changed, and now it's clear about the great things we do and what we have here.”